9 Parenting Topics That Caused Quite the Controversy This Year

Throughout the year, we flip through television channels and scroll through online news sources, unearthing a slew of parenting-related stories. Some bring smiles to our faces, some break our hearts, and others have us debating with our fellow friends on Facebook. Here are some of the topics, from public displays of breastfeeding to questionable discipline methods, that got parents talking (and arguing) in 2014. Sources: Shutterstock and Getty

01
Changing Children in Restaurants
Shutterstock

Changing Children in Restaurants

This year, several moms made headlines after changing their tots' dirty diapers atop restaurants' vinyl tables. And when their actions got them kicked out of the establishments, they weren't afraid to fight back.

02
Questionable Children's Photos

Questionable Children's Photos

Parents like to have fun with their children's pictures, but 2014 was the year some moms and dads (and even grandparents) took their photo shoots too far. While some of these shots merely led to online criticism, some resulted in the photographer being sent to jail. Source: 10tv

03
Leaving Children in Hot Cars
Shutterstock

Leaving Children in Hot Cars

It's a tragedy that makes headlines every Summer, but this year, it seemed more parents were leaving their little ones in hot cars. The number of incidents has some states debating whether the act should be considered abuse. Where do you stand on the issue?

04
Common Core
Facebook | The Patriot Post

Common Core

There's nothing more stressful than helping your child with homework — especially if it's a Common Core assignment. Throughout 2014, many parents lashed out against the new teaching style, including celebrities like Louis C.K. and Stephen Colbert.

05
Sexist Toys, Clothes, and More
Mirror

Sexist Toys, Clothes, and More

This was the year moms took a stand against gender stereotypes. Whether they let their sons wear dresses or created more science items for their daughters, parents ensured that their children were able to express themselves in whatever way they chose.

06
Vagina-Shaped Cookies
Flickr user rachelkramerbusseldotcom

Vagina-Shaped Cookies

Yes, you read that correctly. In September, a mother arrived at her child's school bearing an assortment of vagina-shaped cookies. While we'd think this would merely result in a slap on the wrist, the cookies led to the mother being banned from school property. Did she get her just desserts?

07
Adrian Peterson
Getty

Adrian Peterson

The NFL's 2014 season kicked off with some scandalous headlines, including one associating Minnesota Vikings player Adrian Peterson with child abuse. This news forced parents to debate where discipline ends and abuse begins, as well as to have difficult conversations with their football-loving children.

08
Photos on Social Media
Twitter | wyattlevi

Photos on Social Media

We lecture our kids about social media safety, but are we the ones putting them in danger? This year, Facebook and Instagram made headlines multiple times for removing questionable photos of children from their sites. This made parents and nonparents alike wonder what makes a child's photo inappropriate.

09
Breastfeeding in Public
Shutterstock

Breastfeeding in Public

Every year, more and more moms make headlines for breastfeeding in public places . . . and then being kicked out of these locations. This year, we even saw a hospital ban a mom for nursing her baby. Do you think women have a right to breastfeed wherever, whenever?